Celtics guard Bradley hosts basketball skills camp

Success certainly hasn't spoiled Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley. Bradley, a four-year NBA veteran who recently inked a four-year contract extension with the Celts, was at the Burgo Basketball Association complex Thursday to take part in his skills academy, mingling with campers and fans on Day 2 of his three-day camp.

Bradley, a four-year NBA veteran who recently inked a four-year contract extension with the Celts, was at the Burgo Basketball Association complex Thursday to take part in his skills academy, mingling with campers and fans on Day 2 of his three-day camp.

According to BBA president Steve Burgo, a delayed flight prevented Bradley from attending Wednesday’s session, but Bradley made up for it by showing up bright and early Thursday and spending some one-on-one time with an out-of-town camper prior to the beginning of the event.

“We had a young man named Charlie Masters from Philadelphia here,” said Burgo, “and he was leaving to go home this morning. He didn’t get a chance to see him yesterday, so Avery took the time to spend some time with him before camp this morning. They shot around together, talked together. That meant the world to me. I know it meant a lot to Mr. Masters, too, because I saw his face light up.”

Bradley, who was in awe of the BBA complex’s five outdoor regulation-sized courts, said he’s happy to offer his services to these young basketball players.

“This is my fifth camp of the year and I’ve been to every single one,” Bradley said. “Yes, it is time consuming, but I love doing it. I feel like I’m supposed to be doing this. When I was younger, I wasn’t fortunate enough to go to an NBA player’s camp.

“I’ve never seen a complex like this. I love what Mr. Burgo is doing here. He’s an amazing guy.”

Bradley began Thursday’s academy with a question/answer session with campers and fans that lasted better than 25 minutes before the participants divided up and went off to the five courts. Bradley took part in some shooting drills and helped critique the campers.

“It means everything to have him here,” said Burgo, who hopes to have an indoor facility, complete with four additional courts, a homework lab, and indoor track and more added to the complex by winter’s end. “He is so down to earth and he is great with the kids.

“He will also bring notoriety to our complex and let people know we are for real. Hopefully, this helps the Celtics and the NBA know we are for real. Everything we do here is for the kids. It’s all about the kids.”

Burgo and Bradley met for the first time Wednesday night after the Celtics guard arrived from the airport. They went out to dinner and Burgo said Bradley was as humble as they come.

Page 2 of 2 - “Nobody knew who he was,” Burgo said. “He went out to WalMart after and only one person – a Dartmouth coach – recognized him. What is most impressive to me is that he is a devoted family man.

“I met (Burgo) yesterday,” Bradley said. “We went out to eat and about 100 people went up to him. My brother and I were calling him the mayor.”

Entering his fifth season with the Celtics, Bradley is becoming more comfortable in Boston both on and off the court.

“This is my home now,” Bradley said. “I love Boston. I’ve been here five years and hopefully it will be nine. I live in Waltham and my family loves Boston, which is very important to me. I’m more familiar with the area. I know the streets now. My rookie year I had no clue where I was going.”

Known as a defensive specialist, Bradley stepped up his offensive game last year for the Celtics, averaging nearly 15 points per game.

“My calling card is defense, but I’ve always believed in my offense,” Bradley said. “I want to continue to get better on the offensive end.”

Bradley said his contract extension won’t alter his style of hard-nosed play, nor will it curb his hunger to collect Banner 18. He did say it may help lighten the load menatally.

“It’s something I don’t have to think about,” said Bradley. “I’m someone who thinks a lot and you can’t do that in this game. You’ve got to go out and play, not think.”

Despite the lack of off-season fireworks in Boston’s free agency/trading department, Bradley thinks the Celtics will be just fine this season.

“Don’t count us out,” he said. “We’re young, but I think if we listen to Coach Stevens and buy into what he has to say, we’ll be fine. I heard (Patriots running back Stevan) Ridley say that about Coach Belichick and I think the same is true for us.”

Mike Thomas is the sports editor of The Herald News. Email him at mthomas@heraldnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @NostraThomasHN